49ers’ Gabbert appears poised to start preseason opener
Chip Kelly hasn’t formally announced whether Blaine Gabbert or Colin Kaepernick will start Sunday’s preseason opener at quarterback for the 49ers, but it now appears to be a formality.
On Friday, Gabbert was sharp during a lively joint practice against the Texans, while Kaepernick didn’t throw a pass for the second straight day because of what he termed “tightness” in his right shoulder.
Gabbert didn’t throw an interception, fired a 30-yard down-the-sideline strike to wide receiver Jerome Simpson and tossed touchdown passes to wideout Bruce Ellington and tight end Garrett Celek in a red-zone period.
Kaepernick didn’t return to a full practice after he didn’t throw Thursday because of what a team spokesman said was a “planned rest day.”
Kaepernick said he threw a lot in the six weeks leading up to training camp, but those throwing sessions didn’t place the same stress on his shoulder.
On Wednesday, Kelly said both quarterbacks would receive first-team snaps in exhibition games.
Briefly: DT Arik Armstead (shoulder) participated in individual drills but did not take part in team sessions. …
WR Quinton Patton didn’t finish practice because of an apparent hamstring injury but said the injury wasn’t serious and he thought he’d play Sunday. …